South Carolina sets up rematch with Alexandria Debs

Aug. 5, 2008

Written by

If the host Alexandria Debs wanted a rematch with the team that beat them by forfeit, they got it after South Carolina defeated and eliminated Louisiana state champion Caldwell 4-3 in come-from-behind fashion in the Dixie Softball World Series at Johnny Downs Sports Complex on Tuesday.

That win meant that Alexandria, which lost to South Carolina Monday night due to a player substitution infraction, will have to defeat the still undefeated Debs from Georgetown, S.C., twice today to be crowned World Series champions.

The first game will take place at 6 p.m. and, should Alexandria win, a second game would occur at 8 p.m.

The South Carolina team actually trailed Caldwell 3-2 in the top of the sixth, but took the lead after two errors by the Louisiana champs and a two-run double by Cea Knox that gave her team a 4-3 advantage.

South Carolina's Ashley Czechner then entered the game and retired Caldwell in the sixth inning before striking out two and forcing a fly out in the seventh to seal the win and land Caldwell in the third-place slot.

"Naturally, we're disappointed," Caldwell manager Keith Thompson said. "I think we matched them hit for hit, but they got the hits when they needed them and we didn't. As far as errors, they made errors just like us. The difference was we made ours at the worst time."

Thompson stressed that while his team may have fallen just short of its goal of a World Series title, he was nonetheless pleased with his players.

"I told them after the game that I couldn't have been any prouder of them if we'd have won the whole thing," Thompson said. "To come from where we started to third place in the World Series was a great accomplishment. ... And our players carried themselves well. They were perfect ladies and sportsmen all the way through this. That's all you can ask."